Blak Jewellery - Finding Past, Linking Present

Contemporary jewellery exhibition by 11 Victorian First Nations Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and designers participating in the first year of the Koorie Heritage Trust’s (KHT) inaugural Blak Design program.

Blak Jewellery – Finding Past, Linking Present is an exhibition presenting a beautiful range of contemporary jewellery anchored by connection to culture, Country and family.

The exhibition is the outcome of the Blak Design program.  This is an Australian first, a four-year program presented by the Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT) to foster First Nations cultural innovation within the Victorian design sector and provide a platform for nurturing sustainable, First Nations design practices. The exhibition runs until 27 Feb 2022.

Participating First Nations artists this year:  Ange Jeffery (Wiradjuri), Aunty Beverley Meldrum (Wirangu, Kokatha), Cassie Leatham (Taungurung), Hollie Johnson (Gunaikurnai, Monero Ngarigo), Isobel Morphy-Walsh (Taun Wurrung), Jenna Lee (Larrakia, Wardaman and Karajarri), Kait James (Wadawurrung), Lisa Waup (Gunditjmara and Torres Strait Islander), Sandy Hodge (Lardil), Sharn Geary (Bundjalung) and Aunty Suzanne Connelly-Klidomitis (Wiradjuri).

Each of the participants have undertaken intensive hands-on workshops; learning and refining their jewellery making skills at RMIT jewellery studios under the guidance of jewellers Blanche Tilden and Laura Deakin and technical support by Lindy McSwan.  They have also participated in professional development workshops with creative industry leaders in business, design and marketing.

Banner image: Installation view, Blak Jewellery – Finding Past, Linking Present, Koorie Heritage Trust, 4 September 2021 – 27 February 2022.Photo credit: Christian Capurro.